Grassroots

U.S. Soccer Coaching Education Department Announces Grassroots Pathway Initiative

Please take the GRASSROOTS FREE course online This free introductory module, which represents the first step in the newly revised coaching license pathway, is now the general starting point of the pathway and is the required prerequisite to undergo any of U.S. Soccer's Grassroots Licensing Courses. Coaches who complete the module will also be provided with four complimentary Play-Practice-Play training sessions.

The module takes approximately 25 minutes to complete.  Click on the link create a log on and take the course.

US Soccer Digital Coaching Center

Click here to visit U.S. Soccer Learning Center

Eight New Grassroots Licensing Courses Will Focus on Coaching Fundamentals with Respect to U.S. Soccer’s Player Development Initiatives

CHICAGO (Dec. 20, 2017) – U.S. Soccer has announced eight (8) new grassroots level coaching courses to be introduced in early 2018. These courses will be focused on empowering coaches through experiential learning and a player-centered approach. The course options will relate directly to small-sided games and the respective age-groups outlined in the Player Development Initiatives.

The new Grassroots Licensing Courses will consist of four (4) in-person experiences and four (4) online experiences. Prospective coaches will have the option to engage in any of these new courses – in any sequence – after completing a free introductory module provided by U.S. Soccer.

“This new, a-la-carte approach is meant to empower grassroots coaches to access education – relevant to their needs and specific coaching environment – immediately through these new low barrier opportunities,” said Frank Tschan, Director of Coaching Administration.

In addition to the eight (8) new opportunities, the D course has also been updated in accordance with the revamped approach at the grassroots level. “Over the last 12-months, U.S. Soccer has worked with its members to organize, study and pilot these new opportunities. This has been an immense project initiated by the Federation and its importance cannot be understated. The game is founded at the grassroots level; these courses will help ensure fun, enjoyable and developmentally appropriate environments.”

Concurrently with the roll out of the new courses, the current F and E courses will transition out of the U.S. Soccer Coaching Pathway. These licenses will still be recognized by U.S. Soccer and both certifications remain relevant as a means to advance within the pathway. As demonstrated in the past, member organizations will be empowered to organize and host the in-person grassroots courses and the updated D course on behalf of U.S. Soccer. More specific information on the newly formatted grassroots courses, including format and scheduling, will be released in early 2018.

US Soccer's Player Development Initiatives Click HERE.

Click here to view Document

Focus moves away from the team and onto the individual player

• Development and winning do not have to happen independently from one another
• Our misguided desire to win at all costs at the youth levels often comes at the expense of individual player development
• This change will cause many parents and coaches to rethink how teams will be formed moving forward and this should take place with each individual player in mind based on his or her developmental needs

The focus moves away from bigger, faster, stronger

• Changing to birth year registration doesn’t eliminate relative age effect (RAE) because whenever there is a defined age range, someone will be the oldest and someone will be the youngest
• However, this change does help better understand and account for RAE
• Parents and coaches should have an increased awareness of a player’s birth month relative to his or her peer group and level of performanceThis should help combat focusing on kids that appear to be better simply because they are up to 364 days older than a teammate or opponent

 

Uniformity across the country and across membership

• The current landscape is highly variable
• Having uniformity doesn’t mean that all soccer will look the same in all places at all times
• It does mean that the soccer community can be better aligned with U.S. Soccer’s player development objectives and we can collectively harness the advantage our nation’s diversity and populations has to offer
• A uniform framework also allows U.S. Soccer, and the programs of our members, to provide consistent messaging and education for parents, players, coaches and referees

 

Aligns with international standards for youth development

• This means aligning with the international standards used by the world’s leading soccer nations so that kids in the United States are developing in an environment similar to those playing in Germany, France, Spain, etc.

• Small-Sided Games - Development philosophy and playing standards for players 12 and younger

 

Develop improved skills with the ball

• Improve confidence and comfort

 

Develop intelligence with and without the ball

• Promote faster decisions and better awareness Develop partnerships within the team

 

Provide an age appropriate environment

• Standards align with physiological needs of players based on year of birth

 

Uniformity across the country and across membership

• Similar to the outcomes listed for birth year registration, having consistent standards allows U.S. Soccer, and the programs of our members, to provide more meaningful messaging and education for parents, players, coaches and referees